South Korean Constitutional Court Strengthens Law Prohibiting Same-Sex Relations in the Armed Forces

South Korean military illustration. (Wikimedia Commons//Republic of Korea Armed Forces)

JAKARTA - South Korea's Constitutional Court on Thursday firmly upheld a law banning same-sex relations in the armed forces, citing possible risks to the military's combat readiness, drawing criticism from activists as a setback for gay rights.

Under the country's military criminal code, members of the armed forces face up to two years in prison for same-sex relations. The law has been challenged and upheld four times since 2002.

In a five-to-four decision issued on Thursday, the court said allowing same-sex relationships could weaken discipline in the military and harm fighting capabilities, reported by Reuters, October 27.

Human rights groups have urged the court to overturn what they call the “outdated and ugly” law, after the Supreme Court last year overturned the military court sentences of two soldiers who were given suspended prison terms for same-sex relations. basically like and like.

Activists say the law fuels violence and discrimination and stigmatization of gay soldiers.

"The continued support for the criminalization of consensual same-sex relations among the Korean military is a sad setback in the country's decades-long struggle for equality," said Boram Jang, East Asia researcher at Amnesty International, in a statement following the decision.

It is known that South Korea has one of the largest active-duty armies in the world, with all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 required to serve 18 to 21 months in the military.